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Physical Therapist Assistant in Idaho: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Allied healthcare

Idaho employs 560 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $61,020 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Idaho licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Idaho (May 2025)

Idaho median pay: $61,020 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $37,780
Experienced (75th percentile): $65,900
Top earners (90th percentile): $75,050
Employed in Idaho: 560
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for physical therapist assistants in major Idaho markets:

Logan: $63,120 (40 employed)
Twin Falls: $62,270 (40 employed)
Boise City: $61,350 (200 employed)
Coeur d'Alene: $61,110 (80 employed)
Idaho Falls: $58,690 (40 employed)
Pocatello: $57,870 (60 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Idaho

Prices in Idaho run about 4% below the national average (cost-of-living index 95.5 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $61,020 median stretches to roughly $63,895 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Idaho (2024–2034)

Idaho is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +42.8%, faster than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 120 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Idaho License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) — regulated by the Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses (DOPL) — Physical Therapy Board.

Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs.
Apply through DOPL.

Official requirements: Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses (DOPL) — Physical Therapy Board →

Training in Idaho

A 2-year associate leads to a well-paid, hands-on clinical role. Verify CAPTE accreditation and NPTE pass rates.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Idaho include:

Brigham Young University-Idaho — Associate
Carrington College-Boise — Associate
College of Eastern Idaho — Associate
College of Southern Idaho — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Idaho

Real Idaho outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:

Peak Performance Therapy Service — Ammon
Mountain Land Rehabilitation — Boise
Burley Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation — Burley
Intermountain Physical Therapy — Meridian
St Alphonsus Outpatient Rehabilitation Services — Meridian
North Idaho Speech Language As — Sandpoint

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like active work and helping patients make visible progress.

Think twice if: You need low-contact work or dislike repetitive coaching and physical assistance.

Why it's resilient: Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

First Steps

Look for CAPTE-accredited PTA programs in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make in Idaho?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Idaho is $61,020 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,780, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $75,050. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Idaho?

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), overseen by the Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses (DOPL) — Physical Therapy Board. Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.

Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in Idaho?

Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

Which Idaho metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among Idaho metro areas, Logan leads at $63,120, followed by Twin Falls ($62,270), Boise City ($61,350). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Idaho?

Real Idaho options include Brigham Young University-Idaho, Carrington College-Boise, College of Eastern Idaho. Most physical therapist assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career in Idaho?

Idaho projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +42.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 120 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Idaho statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses (DOPL) — Physical Therapy Board (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Idaho wages · Idaho licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.